Snare for drums or other musical instruments.



T. HEMBBRGBR.

SNARE FOB DRUMS OR OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. nrmcrnox rum) 111:0. :4. 1901.

899,450, mama Sept. 22,1908.

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' T. HEMBERGER. SNARE FOB DRUMS OR OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

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Patented Sept 22, 1908.

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all as will hereinafter be described and pointused with. other musical instruments and THEODOR HEMBERGER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SNARE FOR DRUMS OR OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 22, 1908.

- Application filed December 24:, 1907. Serial No. 37,906.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, T nnonon HEMBERGER, I a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have in vented a-certain new and useful Improvement in Snares for Drums or other Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings,'forining part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is atop plan view of a drum embodying my invention, portions being broken away to more clearly show certain details of construction; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of said drum; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 55, Fig. 2 Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 6-6, Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the bottom clamping-ring, showing the arrangement of the sounding or tuning string and the adjusting device therefor; Fig. 6 is an elevational view of, one of the stringsupporting blocks; and Fig. 7 is an elevational View of the opposite side of said supporting block.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in musical drums.

The object of my invention is'to provide a drum with snares which can be readily moved away from the drum-head, whereby the sound of the drum'may be quickly muffied or subdued and the duration of the tone shortened, and the tension of which snares or sounding-wire or wires may be easily and uickly adjusted to regulate the pitch of the rum.

With this object in view, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, andcombination of the several parts,

i l I l ed out in the claims.

I have shown and described my improved drum-snare herein in connection with an improved construction of musical drum with l which I have heretofore used my snare, but it is evident that my said snare can be as well with drums of other constructions; and while. I have shown and described my said improved drum herein, the same is not claimed here, but is claimed by me in a separate application filed March 9, 1908, and serially numbered 419,980.

In the drawings, 1 indicates the hollow cyl l l i i l lindrical body portion of t-he drum, on the ends of which are adapted to be mounted the heads 2 and 3, respectively. As the head 3 is similar to head 2, the description of head 5 2. will also apply to head 3. The drum-head :2 consists 01' a rin or frame 2*, preferabl of aluminum, around which the skin or vel um port-ion of the head is folded while wet and allowed to stretch and dry thereon, saldring forming a retaining or supporting frame for said skin or vellum.

The edges of the body portion l are pref- I erably folded inwardly, as at 1*, to form a rounded, smooth edge, which 'will not injure or cut the drum-heads 2 and 3 when in position thereon, the folding-in of said edges also serving to stiffen said body portion. Dvelr said heads 2 and 3 are designed to be placed clamping-rings 4 and 5, respectively. Rings -1 and 5 are substantially U-shaped in crosssection, the inner flanges thereof,'which rest upon and bear against the said heads,being preferably roughened or knurled, as at 4, Fig. 7, so as to securely grip the edges of said heads 2 and 3L The outer flanges of-said rings 4 and 5 are provided to avoid a shar edge which the base webs of said rings woul otherwise present. Around said body portion 1 and a short distance from the top and bottom thereof are rings 6 and 7 in the form of angle-irons, which are riveted to said body portion 1, shown in Fig. 2. The horizontal flanges of said rings 6 and 7 are provided with threaded openings 8 to receive securing-screws 9 fitting in perforations or openings in the rings 4 and 5, the screws 9 being preferably provided with angular or uare heads, so that they may be readily ailjusted.

On the clamping-ring 4 are strap-attaching lugs or eyes 12 for receiving a strap for supporting said drum, and mounted on the ring 7 is a block 10, pivotally mounted on which is a yoke 11 for bearing or resting against the leg of the user of the drum. Fitting in an opening in the bodv- )ort ion of said voke is a spring-pressed sliding-bolt 13, which is adaptedto enter pockets 14 or 15 in said block 10, so as to hold said yoke firmly in closed or open and operative position. The bolt 13 is provided preferably with a s uared body portion 13", whiclris adapted to it in a rectangular opening 11 in said yoke 11, said portion 1?, of the bolt 13 having a horizonta'l li or portion 13", whereby said bolt; 13 may e easily operated. The yoke 11, in

Fig. 5, is shown in full linesin closed or inoperative position, and in dotted lines in open or operative position. When the drum is used as a concert or kettle-drum, the yoke 11 is kc )t in closed position, the bolt 13 entering the pocket 1 1; when the drum is used as "a side ruin, the bolt 13 is released from the pocket 1- and forced into pocket 15, whereby said yoke 11 is held in horizontal position and forms a body rest or support for the drum, the inner side of said yore being provided with felt or other cushioning material ll". A

Fitting in pockets 16 formed by the ribs 16 in the clamping-ring 5 are slidably mounted snare-holders or st ring-supports 17. Supports 17 are preferably angular metallic. blocks havinglaterally )rojecting portions 17 at the upper end thereof. The outer face of each of said blocks is grooved, as at 17", and mounted therein are anti-friction rollers 18, around whichthe snare or sounding or tuning-string 19 is adapted to' be passed. At one side, each of said blocks or supports 17 proyidedwith an opening 17, in which is mounted a spindle 2t), to which spindles the ends of said string 19 are ada ited to be attached and upon which said string is adapted to be wound in tightening said string. On the upper end of each of said spindles 20 is fastened or secured a gearwheel 21, which meshes with a worm-screw 22, on the end of which worm-screw is a knob or screw-head 23, by which said screw may be rotated. The string 19, being attached at its ends to said s )indles -20, which spindles are at opposite ends of said blocks 17 when said blocks are in. position in said clamping ring 5, is arranged or asses alternately around the rollers 18 in said blocks 17, forming practically a set of wires, as shown in Fig 7 or in dotted lines in Fig. 1. For the string 19 I refer to use a silk and silver wire string close y woven, having a pitch close to pitch D, but, of course, other wires having other pitches may also be used. By rotating either or both of the screws 22, the motion thereof is transmitted through the gearwheels 21 to the spindles '20, whereby the,

string 19 is easily wound or unwound on said spindles and the tension of'said string quickly and readily regulated. As said string or snare 19 is attached at its ends to the spindles 20, the turning of either or both of said screws 22 eil'ects what might be called a compensating lateral adjustment of the tension of said snare extending equally throughout its length. As 1 preferably use a wire snare or string, the greater the tension of said string, the more resonant and clearer the tone of said drum. The inner face of each of said blocks 17 is provided with suitable opeinngs 17 (see Fig. 9), which goininunicate' with the groove 17 to allow for the passage of the string 19 between the blocks 17, and the top, of each of said blocks or supports 17 is covered by a suitable plate 17'- (see Fig. 7).

The inner flange of rin 5, Fig. 7, so as to allow the string or snarelQ to rest close up against the bottom drum head 3, as shown in F i 6, which is its nor mal position, thereby giving the drum a good, clear sound; but should it be desired tomuflle or subdue the sound or tone of the drum, the blocks or so )po 'ts. 17 are easily moved or slid downwardly in the pockets 16 away from the drum-head 3, so as also to carry the string 19 away from said drumhead, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6. \Then the string 19 is away from said drumhead. the tone of the drum is muffled or subdued, as is well understood; when it is desired .to again increase the tone or, rather, make the tone of the drum louder, the. blocks or supports 17 and also the string 19 carried thereby are readily moved close up against the drum-head 3. The tension of the string 19 is sufficient to firinlyhold the blocks or supports17 in any position in which they may be placed. As is usual, the body portion 1 of the drum is provided with a sounding-hole 24, and the supports 17' are so placed in the ring 5 as to hold the string 19 across the drum-head 3 at what might be called right-angles to said soui'iding-liole.

By the construction of drum described, it will be obvious that my drum can be used as a kettle, concert, or side drum. It is further seen that the tension of the sounding or.

tuning string 19, which string has also a great deal to do in giving the drum a good, clear tone, is quickly and readily regulated, and the sound of said drum can be at once subdued or muffled, as before described, when ever desired. I have found that the sound or tone of my drum provided with my im proved snare is about four timesas loud as that of any other drum now on the market.

It will also be plain that minor changes in the arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts of my snare may ,be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what' I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

v 1. The combination with a drum, of a.

snare, and snare-holders suitably mounted on said drum and to which the ends of said snare are attached, one or both of said snareholders being rotatable, whereby the tension of said snare may be adjusted; substantially as described.

2. The combination with a. drum, of a. snare, snare-holders slidably mounted on said drum, and rotatable means in said snarev 5 is cut away as at.

by said snare-holders and dies for rotating the same, whereby the tenholders to which the ends of said snare are t attached, whereby the rotation thereof regulates the tension of said snare.

3. The combination with a drum. of a snare, and snare-holders slidably mounted on said drum for mo ably supporting said snare, said snare-holders being held in adjusted positions by the tension of said snare; substantially as described. l

4. The combination with a drum, of a snare, snare-holders slidably mounted on 1 said drum f or movably supporting said snare, 1 said snare-holders being held in their several positions by-the tension of said snare, and 1 means for regulating the tension of said 1 snare: substantially as described. i,

5 The combination with a drum, of snarei holders mounted thereon, a snare supported extending alternately from one snare-holder to the other, whereby a'continuous set of snares is providcd, and means at the end of said snare for eil'eeting an adjustment of the tension of said 1 snare extending throughout its length; sub- 1 stantially as described.

6. The combination with a drum, of a i snare, snare-holders, spindles in said holders to which the ends of said snare are attached. and means for rotating said spindles, whereby the tension of said snare is regulated; subl stantially as described. Y

7. The combination with a drum, of a snare, snare-holders, spindles in said holders to which the ends of said wire are attached, andgear mechanism meshing with said spinsion of said snare is regulated; substantially as described.

v 8. In a musical drum, the combinations with a body portion, of a drun i-head, a sounding-string, blocks for supporting said string, aspind'le in each of said blocks to l which the ends of said string are attached, 1

. v a o l the tension of said string is regulated; sub- 1 stantially as described.

9. Ina musical drum,

the combination with a body portion,

l of a drum-head, sounding string, blocks forsup 'iorting said 1 string, spindles in said blocks to which the 1 ends of said string are attached, gear-wheels on said spindles, and worm-screws meshing i with said gear-wheels, whereby the rotation of said screws regulates the tension of said string: substantially as described.

10. In a musical drum, the combination with a body portion, of'a drum-head, a sounding string, blocks for supporting said string, spindles in said blocks to which the l ing the end of said ends of said string are attached, anti-friction which said string )asses, and means connected to said spindles for rotating the same, whereby the tension of said string is regulated; substantially as described.

11. The combination with a drum, of a snare, snare-holders, spindles in said snareholders to which the ends of said snare are attached, rollers mounted in said snareholders and around which said snare passes, and gear i iet'liaiiisiii meshing with said spindles, whereby the tension of said snare is adjusted: substantially as described.

12. In a musical drum, the combination with the body portion thereof, of a drumhead, a clamping-ring for holding said head in position, a snare, snare-holders slidably mounted on said ring for nioyably sup )oi'ting said snarc, and gear mechanism on sait snareholders for regulating the tension of said snare; substantially as described.

13. In a musical instrument, the combination with a hollow cylindrical body portion, of a slain-head therefor, a ring for holding said head in position on said body portion, pockets in said ring, a snare extending across said head, and snare-holders slidably IHOLIHt i ed in said pockets for moyably supporting said snare; substantially as described.

14. In a musical instrument, the combination with a cylindrical body skin-head therefor, a ring for holding said head in position on said body portion, a snare extending across said head, and snare-holders slidably mounted on said ring, said snareholders being held in adjusted positions by the tension of said snare; substantially as described.

15. In musical instrument, the combinati'on with a cylindrical body portion, of a slain-head therefor, a ring for holding said 1 head in position on said body portion, snareand means for rotating said spindles, whereby I holders mounted on said ring, a string supported by said snare-holders and extending alternately from one snare-holder to the other, whereby a continuous set of strings for said head is provided, and means enga snare for effecting an a justment of the tension of said string extending throughout its length; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODOR HEMBERGER.

\Vitnesses:

SHEPARD R. Evans, James L. Sncon.

portion, of a 60 rollers mounted in said blocks and aroimd- 

